The Ashanti Regional leadership of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) rejected the police report denying a shooting incident at the Ashanti Regional office of the EC.
During the ‘Enough is Enough’ demonstration to present its petition to the EC Tuesday, September 17, 2024, it was reported that there was a shooting incident at the Ashanti Regional office of the Commission with some protesters sustaining injuries.
But the police refuted the claim in a statement saying no such thing happened.
— Ghana Police Service (@GhPoliceService) September 17, 2024
Meanwhile, the General Secretary of the NDC in the Ashanti Region, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, has said in a statement that the claim from the police is not true.
“Contrary to the police’s statement, several demonstrators were assaulted and injured by the police. One of our members sustained a severe head injury from police assault and some sustained other injuries on the leg which contradicts their claim that no demonstrator was harmed,” portions of the statement indicated.
Find below the full statement:
REJOINDER TO THE GHANA POLICE SERVICE STATEMENT ON KUMASI EC OFFICE SHOOTING INCIDENT
The Ashanti Regional NDC wishes to set the record straight concerning the statement issued by the Ghana Police Service regarding the incident at the Kumasi Electoral Commission (EC) office on 17th September 2024.
The NDC categorically refutes the claims made by the police that there was no shooting incident and no demonstrators were injured. The following are the facts of the incident:
1. The NDC, in collaboration with the Ghana Police Service, agreed on a specific route for the demonstration, which we followed peacefully. However, the police later mounted a barricade at an entirely different location, far away from the EC office, in an isolated area that can only be described as a bush in the middle of nowhere. This deviation from the agreed arrangement was uncalled for and sparked confusion.
2. In an attempt to ensure the police adhered to the original agreement, confusion ensued. During this period, police officers fired gunshots and launched tear gas canisters into the crowd. As a result, a police officer and one of our peaceful demonstrators fainted due to the chaos caused by the tear gas.
3. Contrary to the police’s statement, several demonstrators were assaulted and injured by the police. One of our members sustained a severe head injury from police assault and some sustained other injuries on the leg which contradicts their claim that no demonstrator was harmed.
4. The NDC is a peace-loving party and did not seek to cause any confrontations. We only demanded that the police adhere strictly to the agreement reached regarding the demonstration route. The demonstration proceeded peacefully after this incident, leading to a successful conclusion.
5. We wish a speedy recovery to both the police officer and our member who fainted due to the tear gas, as well as to our member who sustained head injuries during the scuffle. The NDC stands firmly with our injured members and will support them throughout their recovery process.
6. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the good people of the Ashanti Region, the media, civil society organizations, and the other political parties who supported and participated in yesterday’s demonstration. Your commitment to the cause for justice and democracy will always be remembered.
7. Attached to this release are photos and video footage clearly showing the injuries sustained by our members during the shooting and altercation. We urge the Ghana Police Service to remain independent and not be influenced by the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) in issuing inaccurate or misleading statements.
The NDC stands by the truth, and we hope the Ghana Police Service will maintain its integrity and professionalism in serving all Ghanaians equally, without political manipulation.
Issued by
Dr Frank Amoakohene
NDC Ashanti Regional Secretary
